Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and enjoy many magical Disney experiences in the New Year. 

It Was All Started by…Walt Disney

One of the more famous Walt Disney quotes is, “I only hope we don’t lose sight of one thing–that it was all started by a mouse.”

Well, that is partially true.

Yes, Mickey Mouse really saved Walt and his fledgling animation company after Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was stolen away from him. And it was Mickey who was then a spring broad for everything that followed:

The original five

Silly Symphonies

The animated feature film

Live action films

Disneyland

Walt Disney World

And more!

However, I really think we need to make sure they never lose sight of one thing…that it was all really started by Walt Disney!

Happy Birthday Walt and thank you for all the joy and happiness you have brought to millions around the world.

 

My Must Ride, First Ride: Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure

I’m an East Coaster.

That means I grew up and came to love Disney parks by visiting the awesome resort of Walt Disney World.

So, when I first had the chance to visit Disneyland park (prior to the construction of California Adventure) I was nervous that I wouldn’t like it as much. Turns out, that was a silly thought.

However, with the addition of Disney California Adventure Park, it is fair to say that I love both resorts for different reasons. I kinda view Disneyland Resort, as a “best of” of Walt Disney World in terms of attractions. What’s more, there are some rides, such as Pirates of the Caribbean that are better than their Disney World counterpart.

However, on my first visit to Disneyland, there was one ride I had to do before anything else, and that was Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye.

This attraction was the one ride that Disney World just didn’t have. Sure we have the Indiana Jones stunt show at Disney Hollywood Studios, and we have the same ride system in Dinosaur over at Animal Kingdom, but not the combination of the two.

So, after my first stroll down Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A., noticing just how small Sleeping Beauty Castle was compared to Cinderella Castle, and gawking at the Astro Orbitor planted at the entrance of what was then the “New Tomorrowland,” I ventured over to Adventureland and worked my way through the crowded area to the entrance.

Snaking through the queue was an amazing experience. The details, the hieroglyphics, the “traps” that Indy found for you to avoid, amazing! The vintage film projector with the moving reels is such a cool detail.

Of course, the ride itself is just like you have been placed into the middle of an Indiana Jones film. I still get goosebumps when you first hear Indy’s theme song blaring as you pass him keeping whatever monstrosity is hiding behind those first doors. I also chuckle whenever he yells something like, “Tourists, you HAD to look, didn’t you!” referencing the “forbidden eye” you are to avoid glaring at.

Since then, I always make sure to hit Indiana’s attraction when I first visit the park and I am immediately sucked into the Disneyland experience.

Of course, everyone has their own must ride, first ride. What is yours?

Have a Happy Disney Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Fan of Mickey! Enjoy the following script from the Haunted Mansion intermixed with some Halloween-themed gifs from around the world of Disney.

Thanks to the Disneyland Report for the script!

Foyer:

When hinges creak in doorless chambers, and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls. Whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still. That is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight!

Portrait Gallery:

Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion! I am your host, your ghost host. Kindly step all the way in please and make room for everyone. There’s no turning back now.

Our tour begins here in this gallery where you see paintings of some of our guests as they appeared in their corruptible, mortal state.

Your cadaverous pallor betrays an aura of foreboding, almost as though you sense a disquieting metamorphosis. Is this haunted room actually stretching? Or is it your imagination, hmm? And consider this dismaying observation: This chamber has no windows and no doors, which offers you this chilling challenge: to find a way out!

Of course, there’s always my way.

Portrait Hall:

Oh, I didn’t mean to frighten you prematurely; the real chills come later. Now, as they say, look alive, and we’ll continue our little tour. And let’s all stay together, please. There are several prominent ghosts who have retired here from creepy old crypts from all over the world. Actually, we have 999 happy haunts here, but there’s room for a thousand. Any volunteers? If you insist on lagging behind, you may not need to volunteer. The carriage that will carry you into the moldering sanctum of the spirit world will accommodate you and one or two loved ones. Kindly watch your step as you board, please. We spirits haunt our best in gloomy darkness, so remember, no flash pictures, please.

And now, a carriage approaches to carry you into the boundless realm of the supernatural. Take your loved ones by the hand, please, and kindly watch your step. Oh yes, and no flash pictures, please! We spirits are frightfully sensitive to bright lights.

Do not pull down on the safety bar, please; I will lower it for you. And heed this warning: the spirits will materialize only if you remain quietly seated at all times.

Onboard Doombuggies:

We find it delightfully unlivable here in this ghostly retreat. Every room has wall-to-wall creeps, and hot and cold running chills. Shhh, listen!

All our ghosts have been dying to meet you! This one can hardly contain himself!

Unfortunately, they all seem to have trouble getting through. Perhaps Madame Leota can establish contact. She has a remarkable head for materializing the disembodied.

Madame Leota:

Horntoads and lizards, fiddle and strum. Please answer the role by beating a drum!

Ghost fiends and furies, old friends and new! Blow in a horn, so we’ll know whether it’s you!

Serpents and spiders, tail of a rat; call in the spirits, wherever they’re at.

Rap on a table; it’s time to respond. Send us a message from somewhere beyond.

Goblins and ghoulies from last Halloween. Awaken the spirits with your tambourine.

Creepies and crawlies, toads in a pond; let there be music, from regions beyond!

Wizards and witches, wherever you dwell, give us a hint, by ringing a bell!

Grand Ballroom:

The happy haunts have received your sympathetic vibrations and are beginning to materialize. They’re assembling for a swinging wake, and they’ll be expecting me. I’ll see you all a little later.

Grim Grinning Ghosts:

When the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake,
Spooks come out for a swinging wake!
Happy haunts materialize, and begin to vocalize.
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize!

Now don’t close your eyes and don’t try to hide,
For a silly spook may sit by your side.
Shrouded in a daft disguise, they pretend to terrorize.
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize!

As the moon climbs high o’er the dead oak tree,
Spooks arrive for the midnight spree.
Creepy creeps with eerie eyes start to shriek and harmonize.
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize!

When you hear the knell of a requiem bell,
weird glows gleam where spirits dwell.
Restless bones etherealize, rise as spooks of every size!

Ghost Host:

Ah, there you are, and just in time! There’s a little matter I forgot to mention. Beware of hitchhiking ghosts! They have selected you to fill our quota, and they’ll haunt you until you return! Now I will raise the safety bar, and a ghost will follow you home!

If would like to join our jamboree there’s a simple rule that’s compulsory. Mortals pay a token fee. Rest in peace, the haunting’s free; so hurry back, we would like your company!

Little Leota:

Hurry back! Hurry back! Be sure to bring your death certificate, if you decide to join us. Make final arrangements now! We’ve been dying to have you!

Throwback Thursday: A Sunshine State Halloween

A Throwback Thursday image from the old Sunshine Plaza in Disney’s California Adventure. Happy Halloween all!

Your First Look at Shanghai Disneyland

Check out this video fly over of Shanghai Disneyland. What immediately stands out to me is the size of Enchanted Storybook Castle. It already visually dominates the park and looks impressive with only a few of the spires completed. I can’t wait to see it finished.

Check out the video below.

Throwback Thursday: Holy Tower of Terror Batman

Here’s a picture from California Adventure’s Tower of Terror in October of 2006. Not sure if Disneyland still uses this bat archway as you’re walking towards the Tower or not?

Waiting for Magic

Sorry for the lack of posts. I was busy traveling a lot last week and the real world has kept me fairly busy. I hope everyone had a magical week! ºoº

The Two Towers

I know You, I Walked with You Once Upon a Dream